Current Research Interests

Much of our research is presently focused upon investigation of cyclic and polycyclic polyamines. With Professor Ed Wong, we are carrying out investigations of the coordination chemistry of a variety of novel polyamine ligands. Polyaza molecules including aminals, amidines, orthoamides, and ureas have proven to be useful synthetic intermediates for the preparation of macrocyclic and polycyclic polyamines, pendant-arm derivatives, and bis-(macrocyclic polyamine) molecules. Novel tricyclic bisamidine ligands have also been studied. With Professor Wong and Professor Carolyn J. Anderson and her group at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, we are investigating the use of "cross-bridged" tetraamines (see 1-3 below) in radiopharmaceutical applications.